Simpson County inmates giving back for the holidays

FRANKLIN, Ky. – Inmates at the Simpson County Detention Center are giving Santa a run for his money with their generosity this year through two separate giving opportunities.

On Friday, Maranda Phelps and some fellow inmates joined together to crochet blankets for the Franklin-Simpson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

“It was just nice giving back two seniors. It was nice to give them out and show our work and let them be happy with the blankets,” said Phelps.

Over 20 handmade blankets were distributed to the residents.

The yarn was donated by community members and one senior even donated her own yarn after receiving her gift.

Another opportunity the jail was able to partake in, similar to Angel Tree, Franklin-Simpson’s Elf Connection program.

Two inmates working for a livable wage with the detention center’s S.C.O.R.E. program donated over $1,000 to purchase toys and clothing for two local boys.

Inmates Curtis Reynolds and Donnie Kindred said they want to give something back to their community.

“I felt I had to pay it back. I’m able to do that and it’s just the right thing to do” said Reynolds.

“If I won the lottery, I’d help so many people. I don’t know, I just like doing it,” said Kindred.

“We are able to give to these families at Christmas that they would not otherwise have,” said Lacey Phillips, family resource coordinator at Simpson Elementary.

The blanket program will be expanding to making scarves and hats for children in need in the coming year.

“They’re doing it on their own. They’re doing it because not all people in jail are bad people. There’s a lot of people in jail that have just made bad decisions and the good is there somewhere,” said jailer, Eric Vaughn.